The UK conveyancing process explained

The conveyancing process in the UK is the legal process of transferring ownership of a property from one person to another. It typically involves the following steps:

1. Instruction: The buyer instructs a conveyancer to handle the legal aspects of the property purchase.

2. Searches: The conveyancer conducts various searches on the property, such as local authority searches, water authority searches, and environmental searches, to identify any issues that may affect the property.

3. Review of contract: The conveyancer reviews the contract and raises any questions or concerns with the seller's conveyancer.

4. Mortgage offer: If the buyer is obtaining a mortgage, the conveyancer will receive a copy of the mortgage offer and check the conditions.

5. Pre-completion checks: The conveyancer will carry out pre-completion checks, including checking that the seller has the legal right to sell the property and that all necessary documentation is in place.

6. Completion: On the day of completion, the buyer's conveyancer sends the purchase price to the seller's conveyancer, and the keys to the property are released.

7. Post-completion: The conveyancer registers the change of ownership with the Land Registry and pays any stamp duty that is due.

The conveyancing process can take several weeks or months to complete, depending on the complexity of the transaction and any issues that arise during the process. It's important to work with a reputable and experienced conveyancer to ensure a smooth and successful transaction.